Stone Images (1): Buddhist Images

Among the Buddhist stone-images of Sirpur, the 6½ ft. high gigantic image of Buddha, in the shrine of Anandaprabha Kuti Vihara, is a masterpiece in respect of its grandeur as well as strength. This image is found sitting in mediation on throne in bhumisparsa mudra (touching the earth for a vow) with a standing image of Padmapani which suggest that there was the image of Bajrapani to the left which is now lost. These images are made from the redsand-stones. A special feature of the image is that it is a graceful and proportionate combinations of many pieces of stone. A similar image also with a height of 8’6” is preserved in the Svastik Vihara. The Buddha’s images in the recently excavated monasteries are also remarkable.

A spectacular image of the Buddha in bhumisparsa mudra and with a comely calm and dignified appearance has been preserved in the campus of the Gandhesvar temple of Sirpur. It is comparatively more polished and lustrous than other images of the monasteries. It is a proportionate assemblage of various limbs with graceful and comely countenance. There is another Buddha in the same compound fixed to a wall, which resembles that of Anandaprabha Kuti monastery.

The Sthanak Buddha image with Avalokitesvara and Tara in the M.G.M. museum, Raipur is badly scratched on the face portions. The Prabhamandala (halo around the image) is found in the 7^th century Budda images of Bodhgaya. The right hand of Buddha is in Abhayamudra (promising protection from fear) while the left hand is holding the border of the cloth. The cloth is transparent and wrinkle-free just like that of the image of Sarnath. The lower right hand of Bodhisttva is in Varadamudra (boon granting) and the lower left hand holds stalk of a lotus. To the left of Buddha is the image of Tara holding matulung on the right hand and stalk of lotus on the left hand. This style of these images are comparable to that of the images of Saranath of the post-Gupta period in the scene of the descending of Buddha from the thirty-third heaven.

The charming physical features, serene and quiet posture of face and the proportion among the different parts of the body demonstrates the uniqueness and master artsmanship of the sculptors.